Wire-stretcher.



0. A. TIEDTKE.

WIRE STRETCHER.

1,164,146- 1 APPLICATION FILED APILZZ, 19l4. 14: '3

snares winn-srnnroi rnn.

Lifienad.

Specification of Lettersl 'atent. Patgntgfl B193, 314 115 Application filed April 22, 1914. Serial no. 833,722.

and use the same.

The present invention is directedto'improvements in wire stretchers, and has for its object to so construct a device of this character that the broken ends of line wires may be stretched properly for splicing.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a wire stretcher including means operable simultaneously in opposite directions, whereby the broken ends of a wire' may be drawn taut in overlapping relation and a splicing tool readily engaged upon said overlapping portions, the stretcher to be then disengaged from the wire and the ends thereof spliced while taut so that all slack in the wire will be removed.

With these and other objects in view, this invention resides in the novel features of construction, formation, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more. fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a front elevation of the device. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. tis an end View.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1. designates the main supporting bar, which is provided with a pair of longitudinal grooves 2, the side edges of which are provided with overhanging flanges 3 which serve in conjunction with the straps 4 to prevent the ratchet bars 5 from becoming ,disengaged from the grooves, but at the same time allowing the same to slide within the grooves.

The outer ends of the ratchet bars 5 are provided with blocks 6 which are adapted for travel in the space between the flanges 3 and have connected thereto grips 7 for engaging the line wires.

Pivotally connected to the opposite ends of the main supporting bar are levers 8 which are provided with pawls 9 and 10, the pawls 3.0 serving to engage the teeth of the ratchet, bars to move the same in opposite directions, while the pawls 9. serve to engage the teeth of the ratchet bars to prevent the same from moving during the operation of the pawls 10 which are operated by grasping the levers, one in each hand, and swinging thesarne baokwardly and for wardly, thereby shifting the ratchet bars in opposite directions so as to properly posiion the ends of the line wires for splicing.

The main supporting bar is provided with slots 11. which permit the pawls 9 and 10 to engage the ratchet bars. Thus when it is desired to splice the broken ends of a line wire or the like, the ratchet'bars 5 are slid outwardly of the supporting member and the stretcherengaged on the wire with the grip 7 of each bar tightly clamping the adjacent end thereof. The levers 8 are then grasped and operated simultaneously to move the bars 5 inwardly of the supporting member and draw the ends of the wire together in overlapping relation, said overlapping portions being thus held taut between the inner grips 7 of the bars. A suitable splicing tool (not shown) is next engaged upon the overlapping portions of the wire, between the inner grips 7, and operated to clamp and tightly secure said por-' tions in their related positions, the stretcher being then disengaged from the wire by releasing said grips and the broken ends of the wire spliced while taut in a manner that is obvious.

It is thus evident by overlapping the ends of the wires and splicing said overlapping portions while taut, that all slack in the wire will be removed, such not being the case in devices of similar nature wherein the broken ends of wire are disposed loosely between the clamping portions thereof and said loose ends spliced together.

It will further be seen that by this structure the line wires when stretched will have their ends positioned upon one side of the main supporting bar and in close proximity so that they can be conveniently grasped and spliced while under tension.

VJ hat is claimed is A wire stretcher comprising a main supporting bar, ratchet bars slidably mounted in the supporting bar and relatively movping relation the broken ends of a, vvire to splicedable therein, levers pivoted at one sideof the supporting bar and operatively engaging the respective ratchet bar, and Wire clamps ture, in'the presence of two witnesses. arranged on corresponcllng-end portlons of said. ratchet bars, the inner of said clamps Witnesses: a being movable past each other upon "actual- C. A. RASMUSSEN, tion of said bars to draw taut in overlap-' '3 R. O. BRANDT.

Copies of this patent may be obteined for Washington, D. C.

five centsleach, by'adch'essing the Commissioner of Patents.

, a I 7 10 In testimony whereof,-"Iafliki my signae 

